Online publishing has all sorts of advantages. You become your own boss, you have your own schedule, you get paid to produce content and bring in users. It's all great fun... and you can do it without leaving your house or having to cope with office politics.
It's those last benefits that can look so appealing and be a little dangerous too.
Social networking sites have made it so easy to chat with other people across the Web that you might wonder why you ever need to actually speak to anyone outside your social circle.
With Twitter, you can tell the world what you're doing every five minutes with a few quick keystrokes.
With Facebook, you can swap tips in specialist groups, identify likely customers and announce updates to your websites.
And with email, you can put all your communications in writing and do it whenever you want.
I can't deny that's all fantastically useful. I don't know where I'd be today without all of those things.
But however helpful online networking might be, I can't deny that it's much slower and much less deep than old, traditional face-to-face chats. That's why people come to conferences and that's why the vast majority of my joint ventures are formed with people I've actually met rather than with people who just send me an email.
When you meet someone in the flesh, shake their hand and talk with them over a coffee, you build the sort of bond with them that no amount of emailing can ever replace.
When you're looking for partners to help grow your business then, it's important to use more tools than your keyboard.
Pick up the phone and call them.
Turn on your webcam and video conference with them.
And best of all, buy a plane ticket or climb into your car and visit them. You could take a trip to their office - plenty of top marketers have visited me here in Loveland - or you could get the most out of your trip and attend a conference where you can meet lots of people at the same time.
The Internet is a fantastic thing and a great way to talk to lots of people at the same time. But never forget that there's a world beyond the Web too, and you're going to need it to make your online business a success.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
October 23, 2008 10:59 AM
I agree with you that there is no substitute to meeting in person. But I also find that when used in tandem is when you realize the real advantage of social networking. As someone who has always struggled with "cold calling" and first time meetings, it is so much more relaxed when you feel like you already know someone when you meet them for the first time irl.
October 23, 2008 11:17 AM
You always make things sound so simple...However there are a lot of disappointments in all kinds of marketing...And not everyone has that upbeat don't care if I am rejected attitude. It is not easy...and sometimes it is not fun at all. Having a positive attitude is great and always hoping for the best is also great...However life is a lot more realistic than you portray it.
October 23, 2008 11:40 AM
I think it's funny to listen to some Internet Marketers say there is "no ROI" in social networking and yet you find out they met their biggest earning affiliates face-to-face at a conference or by picking up the phone. Thanks for putting this issue out there Joel.
October 23, 2008 01:48 PM
I really enjoyed this post and find it to be so true, whenever I get out from behind my keyboard and go and do that interview with a start up, or go to a launch party,magic happens. You can forget how to communicate face to face its a skill that must be sharpened. Being a good listener comes from letting people speak at their tempo, not twitter speed.
Thanks
Donna Jackson
Social Communications Specialist
October 23, 2008 04:27 PM
That is so true. Coming from an Internet marketer ( Joel comm) it wasn't surprising at all. He seems to explore every avenue of human behavior. Joel comm is right. I have been in Mortgage business for ever and online since the advent of Internet. I used Aweber to send a series of messages back when, yet I was available by phone and left messages on their voice mails they would call me back months later and do a loan with our company.
Recently, I found even Web designers and marketers shunning phone contact ! These people will rather send canned Aweber messages day upon day..than get on the phone and discuss the project with me about our website.
Nothing replaces a personal voice mail, handshake, hug, eye to eye contact..nothing.
October 23, 2008 08:13 PM
I agree, I need to get to some offline events!
the last thing I went to was "millionaire mind intensive" by: T harv eker and that was just a mindset seminar... I need to get to an online offline event if ya know what I mean.
thanks for the insight joel!
David King,
Http://yougottaseethisblog.com
October 23, 2008 11:48 PM
Hey Joel,
Great post - and reminder for us Internet geeks, to get out there and press the flesh as well. Face-to-face is ideal, but certainly understand why more and more people use email, and other technology (often hiding behind them) more than they (we) should.
With that said, I would add (and offer) your visitors, fans, followers a free (or huge discount on upgrade-paid) tool that will kind of put a more personal touch on their messages...
www.bubblecomment.com is FREE - but we launched an upgrade MY paid service that I use to at least put my face in front of them when can't be there personally.
Your fans can use 'vtmiller' and take 25% OFF any service:
www.bubblecomment.com / www.bubbleguru.com / www.bubbletestimonial.com (or our free e-card service www.bubblejoy.com
on me!!
October 24, 2008 12:22 AM
Joel, from the first time I met you at Affiliate Summit in 2006, I've always been impressed at how cool you are in person.
I think it's just in your nature to be a great individual, and not just personally, but I've seen it in groups too... when people meet you in person, or even just in the same room with you, they can tell that you truly have a heart for making friends, building relationships, and helping people.
Thank-you for always driving the importantance of face-to-face contact, and how important real-world relationships are.
Without them, and reMinders like this (which you've made on an ongoing basis in the 4-5 years I've been a virtual contact, and then real-world friends), I wouldn't have made as many friends or contacts, and definitely wouldn't be in the same place in my business, in my mind, or in my life.
Thanks for being so great, and continuing to beat the drum on this point. It's definitely even more important for people to have real-world people, and have friends who they can reach out and shake hands with, in more challenging times.
Warmest,
Jonathan
October 24, 2008 12:52 AM
Great post Joel, you hit the nail square on the head buddy! ;-)
Expect Success,
Shannon D. Denniston
October 24, 2008 02:33 AM
Hi Joel,
I couldn't agree with you more. Although you can get a fairly accurate sense of what a person is like through their online communications; there is no substitute for meeting that person face-to-face. The in-person contacts can be so revealing.
It was just one of the reasons I attended the BigSeminar this year and, considering that I'm currently based in London, that was a relatively 'big' commitment for me. Yet, it gave me a chance to meet with friends and colleagues that I would otherwise only communicate with online and also to make new contacts.
Essentially, it's the in-person meetings that often decide for me whether or not I want to develop a business relationship with that person.
Nickolove
October 24, 2008 03:02 AM
I strongly agree :-) I am working on an offline promotion of an online service and I can tell you that when you speak to people offline you start to learn a lot! One thing I learned is the expert status I am labled with when talking to people offline about online stuff. When they respect you for being an expert in a field, you will have earned their attention when you want to show them something. Then you have the opportunity. Use it!
October 24, 2008 07:22 AM
As I start on this journey of internet marketing and marketing with a cause, I am reminded of the mom-n-pop shops.
True, the internet has exponentially shrunk our international distances, but we still need to remember the offline people, too.
We created our site so servicemen and women can express their gratitude to the military and explain in their own words how it made them better people: leaders, managers, etc. I can receive stories from around the world with the click of a button. The site is starting to create a buzz, which is what I want- to thank them for their heroism & bravery.
That said, I have another goal, too. After we build up our first site larger I want to help the local, offline businesses increase their web presence. There is no point to have a website if it's just a glorified brochure. I want to meet with these businesses, face to face, and help them grow.
Best,
-K
October 24, 2008 01:01 PM
Hiya Joel,
I do my best selling on the phone.
It's so wierd.
I'm taking lessons from your blog posts,
they flow great, and the anchor text links
rock!
I love your tv show, and I got me a screamin
flying monkey!
I'm unstoppable!
Best Wishes,
Jeff Davis
October 24, 2008 05:19 PM
Great Joel, and thanks for the GOOD info.
Regards,
Chris Arhot
webmaster
www.productselected.com
October 24, 2008 07:31 PM
You can say that again, cause i hate getting up in the morning and going to a day job..lol
October 24, 2008 08:16 PM
Well, Joel, you are welcome to visit Denmark (and the rest of Europe) any time you like. I will even help you get a lot of listeners if you would be interested in giving a speech on earning money online.
Just give me a date, and I will provide an audience. :-)
October 25, 2008 11:43 AM
You have made some really good points. I appreciate that you still talk about online marketing in a positive manner. But I do commend you pointing out the good things about person to person contact.
I cannot do much of that myself because of my health but hope to in the near future.
Kudos Joe!
October 25, 2008 04:02 PM
Hi Joel,
I can't but keep on following your updates on Twitter and Facebook, they are always educative and information packed.
There is no gain-saying, Online Networking is good but offline Marketing brings better rapport, understanding and trust.
"Seeing is quicker Believing"
http://www.ultrasuperaffiliate.com/blog
October 27, 2008 05:08 PM
Hi Joel,
Yes all this web2.0 social networking technology has really made the whole world a lot closer and the information overload that we get from it has certainly made business so much more pleasant.
This year in March I attended my very first offline event in the US. I flew out from Australia and was so blown away with what actually happened. I met a couple who were such nice people that I felt as though I'd known them all my life and for the next couple of days it made my stay there really worth while.
I hope to do it again real soon, maybe next time it will be one of Armond Morrins Big Seminars because I'm really drawn to how "close" the internet marketing community has become.
Anyway Joel, great post and keep me posted on facebook :-)
Cheers,
Steve
http;//BroINSIDER.com
November 2, 2008 09:05 PM
Hi joel,
Thanks for that wonderful insight if you want you business to grow. Of course there's no better way of going offline, meeting people, have a lunch with them and a cup of coffee. When you talk face to face with person you can have the bond and you can see into a person eyes and gestures the sincerity over the business you talk with. But of course you can't go all over the world and talk to all the person and make business with them, so you make use of the internet, social networks and sites where you can announce and advertise your business with.
Best Regards,
Aurelius Tjin
November 3, 2008 06:02 AM
Hi, Mr. Joel.
Thank you for your posting, it's very useful in my blog developments. I learn and started to business.
Best wishes,
Randy Tanudjaja
www.movenow.co.cc